Foster + Partners to build tall on South Quay Plaza

Foster + Partners has been chosen to build a super-tall tower as part of the redevelopment of South Quay Plaza on London’s Isle of Dogs

Developers Berkeley snapped up the site in Canary Wharf in April 2013 and has submitted initial options for a residential tower nearly 80 storeys high, just shorter than One Canada Square.

Plans to redevelop the surrounding area will create 1.8 acres of public realm, opening up 57 per cent of the site - an increase from the 9 per cent of public space currently.

Responding to the appointment, Grant Brooker, senior partner for Foster + Partners, said: ‘South Quay Plaza has a key role to play in revitalising this pivotal dockside location and we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Berkeley to work with them on this very significant project.’

South Quay Plaza occupies a prominent position on Marsh Wall and a central location on the Isle of Dogs. It comprises a small complex of shops, two office buildings and a leisure building in the North East corner, which together cover a large part of the site very little space for public use.

Planning policy identifies the need for at least 10,000 new homes across the Isle of Dogs and 6,150 within Millwall over the next 22 years.

During consultation, locals demanded better pedestrian access the site and improved links by foot between the South Quay Docklands Light Railway station, Millharbour and Canary Wharf. They also wanted an improved waterfront area and more shops throughout.

‪South Quay Plaza is set for residential development under the Millennium Quarter Masterplan, and over the next 20 years is set to include at least 10,000 new homes on the Isle of Dogs and 6,150 in Millwall.

The site is within Isle of Dogs Opportunity Area, the Canary Wharf Activity Area and the Millwall area of the Core Strategy.

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